LAFC Cosmos

A Message from our new Director of Coaching: Barry Ritson

A Message from our new Director of Coaching: Barry Ritson.

Welcome to another exciting year of club soccer. With Coast Soccer league just around the corner and our club going through a renovation I wanted to welcome both new and existing families to LAFC under our new organization, LAFC Cosmos.

With change comes confusion and many of you have expressed concerns and asked questions that we want to answer. There are many new things that we believe will make us stronger as an organization while still holding true to the things that make us what we are today.

I want to thank the Board of Directors for placing their trust in me to lead this club to the pinnacle of youth soccer in the country. It’s a challenge I relish and will give 100% effort in helping our club, players and families accomplish their goals.

WHATS NEW…

· OUR NAME AND AFFILIATES

As the official Partner of Cosmos Academy West, our name has now been changed to LAFC Cosmos and we no longer have an official relationship with Chelsea Football Club of England. We are now affiliated with the NY Cosmos.

· OUR STAFF

Barry Ritson is our new DO.C and will be assisted by Manny Martins and Louis Hunt on our Girls side with Alex Bengard and Jamie Harvey overseeing the Boys.

· OUR UNIFORMS

We are awaiting delivery of our brand new LAFC Cosmos Uniforms, our kit is now supplied by Umbro and not Adidas. They will be white and navy in color.

· OUR WEBSITE

Same address and function, improved setup and design.

· OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Teddy Chronopolous joins our Board of Directors.

· ADDITIONAL TEAMS TO OUR EAST

LAFC Cosmos East is a group of Boys teams that are part of our family and train at Walnut High School.

WHAT HASN’T CHANGED…

· OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR PLAYERS

We are here for the children. We will do everything in our power to improve the lives of our children both on and off the field. We aim to supply the best coaching staff available to nurture the talent of our impressionable youth.

· THE SUPPORT SYSTEM

Within our structure you will have the support of a coach, overseen by a Director who reports to the DOC and our Board.

· THE CLUB VALUES AND PHILOSOPHIES

We still abide by our A<B<C system and will attempt to place each individual in the best possible environment to learn and grow as a young soccer player. Team placement will continue to be evaluated on an individual basis with the needs of the player the priority.

· THE FACILITIES WE USE

We will continue to use and seek to add to the fields we currently use. We will still train and play on the fields at LCHS, PHS, MHS, Oak Grove, Walnut High, and continue to hold permits for additional sites such as the Rosebowl and LCHS JV field.

· OUR EXPECTATIONS

Our expectations of our staff, parents and players are high in terms of development. We expect results to be the by-product of our development plan.

· OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

We will continue to hold players and parents accountable for their actions, all indicated clearly in our Code of Conduct which is available to review on our new website.

· OUR NEED TO BE FINANCIALLY SECURE

To provide the environment and the support we currently offer takes time and also money. Each parent is responsible for playing club and team fees. We will also be holding periodic fundraising events where the monies collected will go directly into maintaining and improving our club.

· OUR OFFERING OF FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

We will still offer to help families that are unable to contribute fully to the financial commitment needed to play competitive soccer. No player will receive a “full ride” and all scholarship families are encouraged to take a more active role in fundraising efforts.

Finally, I want to say Thank You to all of our families that stuck by us through our CSL dispute and the unrest that it caused. We are very happy to have you all with us as we continue our fight to make LAFC Cosmos a nationwide force in youth soccer!

At your service,

Barry Ritson

Director of Coaching